'We're so lucky to have him' - Odegaard hails Arsenal team-mate and sends message to fans

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was full of praise for Declan Rice after the win (Picture: Getty)

Martin Odegaard said Declan Rice had ‘taken his game to another level’ in the aftermath of Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Bournemouth and claimed the club were ‘so lucky’ to have the midfielder in their ranks.

Rice capped off a superb individual performance with a late strike to extend Arsenal’s advantage over Andoni Iraola’s Cherries, adding to goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard in north London.

Rice – who joined the Gunners in a club-record £105m transfer from West Ham last summer – also assisted Trossard’s 70th-minute effort with an exquisite flicked pass and came away from the Emirates with the man-of-the-match award.

Legendary ex-Arsenal striker Ian Wright waxed lyrical about Rice’s ‘unbelievable’ display as Mikel Arteta’s men secured maximum points in some style to hold onto top spot in the Premier League – saying the England international had been the ‘difference’ this season.

And club captain Odegaard, speaking to Sky Sports after the game, echoed Wright’s words, praising his team-mate for adding goals and assists to his game this term.

‘To come to a new club is never easy but he’s just come in the most natural way,’ Odegaard said.

‘The way he’s playing, adding goals and assists as well now, so I think he’s taken his game to another level and we’re so lucky to have him.

‘He has given us so much in so many areas. Brilliant player.’

Rice produced a man-of-the-match performance against the Cherries (Picture: Getty)

Reigning champions Manchester City remain favourites for the title given they trail Arsenal by just a point and have a game in hand over their rivals.

However, Odegaard has not given up hope and urged supporters to keep the faith until the final day of the season.

Asked whether he had a message for Arsenal fans, the Norway midfielder replied: ‘Just keep believing and keep pushing us.

‘We’ll push and we’ll do everything until the last day and we’ll see what happens.

The result ensured the Gunners held onto top spot in the Premier League (Picture: Getty)

In his post-match press conference, Arteta said the Arsenal’s summer arrivals – Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, David Raya and Rice – had ‘raised the bar’ and added another dimension in the club’s push for the title this term.

‘The summer signings have raised the bar a lot,’ the Spaniard said.

‘If we spend money we’d better do it wisely and in the most effective way.

‘We’re really happy with the recruitment that we had. It had a big impact in the team.

‘It has raised not only the level of the team but the level of the rest of the players, as well.

‘You see today we had some big performances from a lot of individuals.’

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